Peter FINNEGAN Tried, Sentenced (1905)

FINNEGAN, MULROONEY

Posted By: Jennifer Gunderson (email)
Date: 2/12/2021 at 10:34:58

Evening Times-Republican. Marshalltown, Iowa, 07 Dec 1905, Thu. Page 2.

IS DEFENDANT INSANE?
New Issue Causes Excitement In Embezzlement Trial of Peter Finnegan

CASE SENT BACK FOR RETRIAL
It Is Now Being Argued In the District Court at Mason City -- Question of Finnegan's Insanity Comes from the Fact That He Has Been Treated for Delirium Tremens.

Special to Times-Republican

Mason City, Dec. 7. -- A new issue was sprung today in the case of the state of Iowa vs. Peter Finnegan, on trial for embezzlement. The defense introduced testimony to establish the theory that the defendant was insane, which act was like the throwing of a bomb into the ranks of the state. Finnegan was tried two years ago on the same charge and convicted and sentenced to one year at Anamosa. The case was appealed to the supreme court which overruled the district court and sent the case back for a retrial. The matter grew out of a difficulty between Finnegan and a boarder at his restaurant, by the name of Mulrooney. Mulrooney had some $300 in cash, which is said to have been secured by Finnegan by trickery. Finnegan after securing the money immediately left the city and is said to have squandered the money in Sioux City, where he visited for ten days. On his return the money was demanded, but he was unable to deliver it and his arrest followed. He claims to have been In a stupor all this time and to have had no knowledge that he spent the money. The question of his Insanity comes from the fact that he has been treated for delirium tremens by local physicians. The case is attracting a good deal of Interest.

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Evening Times-Republican. Marshalltown, Iowa. 19 Dec 1905, Tue. Page 3.

PETER FINNEGAN SENTENCED
Convicted Mason City Embezzler Will Ask for New Trial.

Special to 'Times-Republican Mason City, Dec. 19.—Peter Finnegan was sentenced to six months in the penitentiary this morning by Judge Smith, after conviction for embezzlement. He was convicted of getting by trickery $250 from a young man by the name of Mulrooney, who boarded with the defendant while he was keeping a restaurant. This is the second time Finnegan has been convicted and sentenced for the same offense. At his conviction two years ago he was sentenced but an appeal was made and after a review of the case in the supreme court the case was returned for a new trial. The attorneys for the defendant during the present trial brought up the matter of the insanity of the defendant. This will give them an opportunity for a new trial, which will be moved and an appeal taken to the supreme court.

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Transcribed by Jennifer Gunderson. 12 Feb 2021.